Human Nature: Comparison of Hindu Research Proposal

In human beings dharma is extra and special." (p.1) Brahmeshananada states that dharma is "restraint by moral rules" and that there are two types of dharma:

(1) pravrtitti-lakshana; and (2) nivritti-lakshana. (Brahmeshananada, nd, p.1)

When one, observing the moral codes of conduct applicable to one's station in life and society performs actions for enjoyment (kama) and acquisition of wealth (artha) one is said to be following pravritti dharma." (Brahmeshananada, nd, p.1) However, the time comes "when one gets disgusted with sense-enjoyments and acquisition of wealth and aspires for final emancipation (moksah)." (Brahmeshananada, nd, p.1) It is at this time that the self embraces nivritti dharma "characterized by a renunciation of all worldly desires and selfish actions, and resorting to spiritual practice to attain liberation." (Brahmeshananada, nd, p.1) When the man "…rises from animal to human level by accepting pravritti dharma, i.e. By observing social injunctions" then man is able to ascend to godhood and to become divine through having embraced the nivritti dharma. (Brahmeshananada, nd, paraphrased)

According to Brahmeshananada when the Hindus "say that man is divine, this means that all men and women are divine. When by following the discipline of yoga, one starts realizing that one is divine and is not mortal, he also, to that extent starts seeing that others are also divine and he starts behaving with others similarly." (nd, p.1)

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The concepts of man within Hinduism and Buddhism are similar and comparable in that each of these views holds that man is capable of reaching perfection. The difference appears to lie in the fact that within Buddhism man approaches perfection in a step-by-step process while in Hinduism the individual has a 'lightbulb' moment in their life during which they suddenly become aware of the higher ways and are overcome by a sudden desire to put away lower and more base ways and to embrace these higher ways of thinking, viewing, and being.

As noted in the work of Hadley (2001) the human being goes through a step-by-step transition in finally attaining this perfection of the self while as noted in the work of Coward (2008) the human being has a sudden 'aha' moment in which they move upward in their spiritual nature in attaining perfection.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brahmeshananda, Swami (nd) The Nature of Man According to Hinduism. Nature of Man -- Understanding Hinduism. Online available at:….....